It’s hard to imagine our world without the addition of fountain pens. It’s worth giving a little gratitude to the nifty tool that revolutionized handwriting.
For centuries, handwriting was, and still is, one of the most important forms of communication. But before fountain pens, handwriting was a messy, time-consuming process, with a quill that repeatedly had to be dipped in an inkwell. In the 19th century, when widespread use of fountain pens began to emerge, people now had access to a functional tool that encased its own ink, could travel easily, wrote uniformly, and could be refilled as many times as they wanted. It was nothing short of revolutionary.
Things have changed a bit since the 19th century. But what has stood true through all the years is the lasting beauty and technical artistry of fountain pens.
Since 2012, pen enthusiasts around the world have dedicated every first Friday of November to celebrate the beauty and importance of fountain pens on a day officially dubbed “Fountain Pen Day”.
The holiday began as an appreciation, not only for day-to-day use of fountain pens, but for the practice of handwriting and handwritten communication as well. It’s since grown in the past 6 years as a powerful testament to the impact that fountain pens still have on people.
Fountain Pen Day © , the official organizers and promoters of the holiday, want to see fountain pen lovers join in the celebration in any way they feel called to. They have thoughtfully put together a list of ways anyone can enjoy and celebrate the beauty of fountain pens. Here are some of their suggestions to light up your fountain pen inspiration.
Write a letter to someone with your favorite fountain pen and ink.
There’s nothing quite like letter-writing that combines both the intimacy of personal expression in solitude, and the excitement of communicating with someone special. It’s a moment we can treat ourselves to any time, but it’s all the more special on Fountain Pen Day. You can mark the occasion in your letter by writing the name of both the pen and the ink you used under your signature.
Make up a Fountain Pen Day “Intro to Fountain Pens” pack for a friend
A struggle for any enthusiast, not just those passionate about fountain pens but those passionate about anything, is knowing people who just don’t quite grasp their appreciation. Maybe they’re aware of the concept, but they don’t fully understand the complexity, the history, or the fun of it! One of the greatest services you can dedicate yourself to on Fountain Pen Day is introducing fountain pens to more people. You can put together a brief history of fountain pens, and why they revolutionized handwriting, and create a list of reasons, or a few paragraphs, on why fountain pens are important to you. Any friend will appreciate being introduced to the world of fountain pens in such a thoughtful way.
Post on your favorite forum or blog by writing it out with your fountain pen.
Nothing breaks the mold of repetitive, uniform text on screen quite like the stark contrast of a handwritten note. How often do you get to see someone’s handwriting, a very personal expression of an individual, in our digital landscape? A great way to celebrate Fountain Pen Day is writing out your thoughts, feeling, ideas, or anything else that speaks to you, then taking a picture of it, and posting it to a blog or forum of your choice. Again, you can write under your signature what pen and ink you used.
Instead of typing Facebook status updates and tweets on Twitter, write them and upload a picture of them
This is a fun way to celebrate because of the interaction it gets. It will certainly leave a lasting impact on friends and family on social media. Throughout your day, instead of typing, spend a little time with pen to paper and write out what you would normally post. It’s a great way to create a long lasting memory for both you and others on how you spent Fountain Pen Day this year. Just be sure to mention in your posts the reason you’re doing it as well!
Take one of the pens you don’t use anymore and send it off to a friend with a handwritten note.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, not that we would ever call fountain pens “trash”. Nonetheless, gifting an old pen is one of the most thoughtful ways to celebrate fountain pen day. Can’t find a pen you’re willing to part with? We have a collection you can pick from.
Make this the weekend of your pen club meet-up.
You and your pen loving buddies with love spending this time together to celebrate a day made for appreciating fountain pens. If you have a regular meet-up for pens, or a pen club, this is a great opportunity to mark the occasion with a special meet-up party.
Turn off your computer, put down the phone, and spend some time writing.
It’s the easiest way to celebrate Fountain Pen Day, and it’s tried and true. Spending a little time in an analog experience is de-stressing, recentering, and vital for a more mindful state. Fountain pens can make the experience all the more mindful and enjoyable.
Like with any holiday, you never have to wait to celebrate what’s important in our lives. Holidays are meant to remind us of something, and in this case, we’re reminded of fountain pens. Whenever you’re feeling the urge to express your gratitude to the beauty of fountain pens, you can refer to this list any time. We hope you enjoy your handwritten adventures, and have a very happy Fountain Pen Day.
For more information about Fountain Pen Day, visit www.fountainpenday.org